Broncos' McCaffrey, Davis OK New Deals

Published 6:00 pm, Wednesday, February 26, 2003

Ed McCaffrey and Terrell Davis agreed to restructured contracts Thursday, clearing more salary-cap space for the Broncos and ensuring the popular stars will remain in Denver.

A series of moves this week allowed the Broncos to trim nearly $20 million and get under the NFL-mandated salary cap of $75 million by Thursday's deadline.

Broncos general manager Ted Sundquist said the Broncos were already under that mark, but the reworked deals by McCaffrey and Davis give them more flexibility in signing free agents.

The free-agent signing period begins Friday and the Broncos have expressed an interest in Arizona quarterback Jake Plummer and a defensive end to play opposite Trevor Pryce.

"We couldn't clear the cap by just one buck and expect to be able to do anything," Sundquist said. "Doing this really helps the team going into the 2003 season."

Denver cut seven players on Tuesday, including three starters, to save about $16 million on the salary cap. The Broncos also reworked the contract of guard Dan Neil, who was scheduled to make $2.26 million in 2003.

Davis was scheduled to get $4.7 million, but will now make the league-minimum of $655,000. McCaffrey was slated to make $3.5 million in 2003. Terms of his deal were not disclosed.

"Now we have enough room to get some things done," Sundquist said. "This puts us right on schedule for the plan we put together a few months ago."

McCaffrey has been one of the most productive and popular players in Broncos history.

He is third in team history with 46 receiving touchdowns, fourth in receptions with 443 and fifth with 6,005 yards.

McCaffrey suffered a gruesome broken leg in the first game of the 2001 season, but bounced back last year to finish second on the team with 69 catches for 903 yards. He also set a team record by catching a pass in 68 straight games.

McCaffrey's hard-nosed style has made him a fan favorite in his eight years in Denver. He is cheered by the fans any time he catches a pass and has been a popular pitchman for local businesses.

Davis has been on injured reserve since August due to a degenerative condition in both knees, but has not ruled out a comeback. He has been rehabilitating with the Broncos medical staff after having microfracture surgery in September and has said repeatedly that he would like to return.